Speech-Language Pathology Faculty

Tracy Carr-Marcel, Ph.D., M.S., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor of the Speech-Language Pathology Program

Dr. Tracy Carr-Marcel’s speech-language pathology experience began when she obtained her certificate of clinical competence in 2000. Her interest in communication sciences and disorders was influenced by having to learn sign language at an early age to effectively communicate with her maternal grandmother who was deaf.

Dr. Carr-Marcel’s career has covered the spectrum of clinical settings to include short-term rehab, long-term care, acute hospital care, and outpatient clinics. She pursued a career in higher education in 2021 due to a desire to share her diverse professional experience and prepare college students to enter the field of speech-language pathology.

While she is a native of Washington DC, Dr. Carr-Marcel has resided in different parts of North Carolina since her career began. She has two adult children: a daughter in college and a son in the National Guard. Dr. Carr-Marcel is a true animal lover with three dogs, two cats, and two birds. In addition, she loves to spend time with family.

Mary Pyfrom, MA, CCC-SLP, MT-BC

Assistant Professor of the Speech-Language Pathology Program

Mary Pyfrom, MA, CCC-SLP, MT-BC is an Assistant Professor in the Speech Language Pathology program, joining West Coast University (WCU) in November 2022.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Mississippi University for Women and holds the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist- Board Certified), and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.  Mrs. Pyfrom is currently a Ph.D. student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.  Her areas of interest in both clinical service and research are neurodegenerative disorders and the influence of cognition on voice production.

Mrs. Pyfrom has practiced clinically in private practice, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health, and an outpatient university clinic.  She has served as the Director of Speech Language Pathology in the hospital setting and lead clinical instructor in higher education.  Mrs. Pyfrom has extensive experience clinically in the areas of Voice, Dysphagia, Motor Speech, Cognition, Aphasia, and Concussion Management.  She holds specialty certificates in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment – LOUD and Speak OUT! for clients with Parkinson’s Disease, Myofascial Release, Leesac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy, and Comprehensive Assessment in Foreign Accented English.  In higher education, Mrs. Pyfrom has focused on direct clinical care and the development of interactive educational seminars for students including hands on clinical application and decision making through simulated cases.  She has developed programs for assessing student performance, was a co-creator of a new instructor mentoring program, and fostered interprofessional education opportunities for both faculty and students.

Mrs. Pyfrom is an active member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in three special interest groups and the Leadership Development Program. She is committed to lifelong learning and has earned three ASHA awards for continuing education.

Nicole Shears, Ed.D., CCC-SLP

Professor

Professor Nicole Shears has over 17 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist providing treatment to diverse clients across the life span. She has provided therapy in various settings, including nursing homes, home health, outpatient clinics, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, early childhood intervention, and public schools. In addition to providing therapy to clients with diverse needs, Professor Shears has served in a teaching and mentoring capacity for over nine years as a supervisor to speech-language pathologist assistants and graduate student clinicians. Her favorite aspects of being a mentor are observing clinicians as they develop confidence in their skills and what she learns from them in return. Professor Shears is currently completing her dissertation to pursue her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership through Liberty University. She earned both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Abilene Christian University.

Professor Shears is married with two children and a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. While stationed in Italy, she developed a passion for exploring new cultures. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, visiting with friends and family, and attending her children’s musical and sporting events.

Sharita Williams-Crossen, Ed.D, CCC-SLP

Director of Clinical Education of the Speech Language Pathology Program

Sharita Williams-Crossen, Ed.D, CCC-SLP, is the Director of Clinical Education of the Speech-Language Pathology Program. She is a native of Greensboro, NC, and has been practicing in Speech-Language Pathology for over 25 years. Dr. Williams-Crossen earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, Masters of Education in Communication Disorders from North Carolina Central University, and Doctorate of Education in Child, Youth, and Family Studies with a specialization in Exceptional Children from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Williams-Crossen is licensed by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners and certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Dr. Williams-Crossen specializes in early intervention and is a certified Infant Toddler Family Specialist (ITFS). She has been certified for over 15 years. This certification demonstrates her specialized knowledge, skills, attitude, and attributes suited to providing quality services to the many differing young children, families, caregivers, professionals, and communities she serves. Governor Roy Cooper appointed her to serve on the NC Interagency Coordinating Council responsible for public awareness, community needs assessment, system evaluation, and professional development related to early intervention.

Before joining WCU, she was the managing director of a private practice managing day-to-day operations of the business, including providing high-quality speech therapy services to individuals across the lifespan with various communication needs related to developmental delays, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and autism, to name a few. Dr. Williams-Crossen has a diverse background in speech-language pathology, including early intervention, Head Start, public schools, charter schools, nursing homes, and home health. Also, in this capacity, she provided clinical education to undergraduate and graduate practicum students, assisting in developing clinical and professional skills to conduct high-quality speech sessions

She has over 15 years of post-secondary experience in teaching and research. Teaching experiences include courses in communication sciences and disorders, phonetics, speech and language development, language disorders, observation in communication sciences and disorders, and computer applications in speech-language pathology. Her most recent research interests include increasing language and literacy through culturally responsive practices.

Dr. Williams-Crossen enjoys maximizing the communication of individuals of all ages by working collaboratively with families and other community professionals. Her passion is preparing future clinicians to make a difference in the lives of individuals with communication needs. Outside of work, Dr. Williams-Crossen enjoys reading, dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Meredith Gohsman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology program

Dr. Meredith Gohsman is an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology program. She joined the Speech-Language Pathology faculty at West Coast University in December 2023. Dr. Gohsman completed her undergraduate degree at Old Dominion University and Master’s degree at James Madison University. She completed her PhD at Old Dominion University in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation in December 2021. Dr. Gohsman has 10 years of experience in speech-language pathology. She has experience in a variety of clinical settings, including schools, outpatient/inpatient rehabilitation, university clinics, and mental health settings. Throughout these clinical experiences, Dr. Gohsman has worked with individuals across the lifespan. She has developed clinical expertise in the areas of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), language disorders, pediatric communication disorders, service delivery models, patient- and family-centered care, and research methodologies.

Dr. Gohsman has teaching experience in both face-to-face and virtual learning environments. She has presented at international, national, state, and local conferences. Dr. Gohsman is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), ASHA Special Interest Group 10 and 12, as well as the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). She served as a member of the ASHA 2022 Convention AAC Program Committee. In addition, Dr. Gohsman was recognized as a Distinguished Early Career Professional by ASHA in 2020 and has received two ASHA Awards for Continuing Education.

Dr. Gohsman’s clinical and research interests include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modalities, as well as mechanisms to reduce participation barriers reported by AAC stakeholders. She enjoys working with students to build capacity and confidence in the speech-language pathology scope of practice. Dr. Gohsman also enjoys spending time with her family.

Kristyn Carolino King, M.S. CCC-SLP

Adjunct Professor

Kristyn Carolino King, MS, CCC-SLP – Kristyn joined the Speech-Language Pathology program at West Coast University in August 2022 as an Adjunct Professor and became an Assistant Professor in November 2023. She received her Master’s of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Chapman University in 2015 and has since been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the acute, acute rehabilitation and outpatient settings with adults. Additionally, Kristyn has worked with pediatric outpatient clinics to complete pediatric evaluations/treatment and supervise Speech Language Pathology Assistants. She holds certifications in swallowing management (MBS Impairment Profile, FEES, VitalStim, McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program, Respiratory Muscle Strength Training), Parkinson’s Disease (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, SPEAKOUT!) and is completing certification to become a Brain Injury Specialist. Kristyn is passionate about connecting curriculum to the clinical setting and loves sharing her knowledge and experience with students.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 young children and going to baseball games (Go Dodgers!).

Part-Time

Staff